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Building the Space Needle

DANIEL DEMAY|April 6, 2016

Photo: George Gulacsik/Seattle Public Library

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George Gulacsik was hired to photograph the Space Needle's construction and did so with a fury, creating hundreds of images throughout the year from groundbreaking to public opening. But those photos largely collected dust until the Space Needle's current owners and the Seattle Public Library began digitizing the images. A new exhibition at the Space Needle, highlighting the construction process and Gulacsik's photos, opens to observation deck guests Thursday.

This November 1961 photo shows the progress of the Space Needle's construction, with the top fins more than halfway complete. less

George Gulacsik was hired to photograph the Space Needle's construction and did so with a fury, creating hundreds of images throughout the year from groundbreaking to public opening. But those photos largely

This June 1961 photo appears to be taken from Second Avenue North, on lower Queen Anne, looking south. KeyArena (then known as the Washington State Pavilion) is seen under construction on the right. Though the caption says "preparing to raise part of the Space Needle," it's hard to see as it would be on the far left somewhere. less

This June 1961 photo appears to be taken from Second Avenue North, on lower Queen Anne, looking south. KeyArena (then known as the Washington State Pavilion) is seen under construction on the right. Though the ... more

Photo: George Gulacsik/Seattle Public Library

This June 1961 photo appears to be taken from Second Avenue North,... Photo-9762150.127735 - seattlepi.com

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Workers are seen on June 30, 1961, helping to guide one leg of the Space Needle into place on its base.

Workers are seen on June 30, 1961, helping to guide one leg of the Space Needle into place on its base.

Photo: George Gulacsik/Seattle Public Library

Workers are seen on June 30, 1961, helping to guide one leg of the... Photo-9762151.127735 - seattlepi.com

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Here's a wider view of workers guiding one of the Space Needle's legs into place on June 30, 1961.

Here's a wider view of workers guiding one of the Space Needle's legs into place on June 30, 1961.

Photo: George Gulacsik/Seattle Public Library

Here's a wider view of workers guiding one of the Space... Photo-9762152.127735 - seattlepi.com

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A crane is shown here, in July 1961, setting part of the derrick on top of the Space Needle's core.

A crane is shown here, in July 1961, setting part of the derrick on top of the Space Needle's core.

Photo: George Gulacsik/Seattle Public Library

A crane is shown here, in July 1961, setting part of the derrick on... Photo-9762154.127735 - seattlepi.com

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This color photo from July 1961 shows the Space Needle's core during construction, with balloons rising around it.

This color photo from July 1961 shows the Space Needle's core during construction, with balloons rising around it.

In this July 1961 photo, two men review the Space Needle plans while construction continues.

In this July 1961 photo, two men review the Space Needle plans while construction continues.

Photo: George Gulacsik/Seattle Public Library

In this July 1961 photo, two men review the Space Needle plans... Photo-9762160.127735 - seattlepi.com

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Photographed in July 1961, the Space Needle construction site is seen at night, with only one large building seen in the background.

Photographed in July 1961, the Space Needle construction site is seen at night, with only one large building seen in the background.

Photo: George Gulacsik/Seattle Public Library

Photographed in July 1961, the Space Needle construction site is... Photo-9762161.127735 - seattlepi.com

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In this July 1961 photo, workers are preparing to raise the first leg of the Space Needle.

In this July 1961 photo, workers are preparing to raise the first leg of the Space Needle.

Photo: George Gulacsik/Seattle Public Library

In this July 1961 photo, workers are preparing to raise the first... Photo-9762162.127735 - seattlepi.com

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This photo, taken July 31, 1961, shows a crane setting down part of the third leg of the Space Needle.

This photo, taken July 31, 1961, shows a crane setting down part of the third leg of the Space Needle.

Photo: George Gulacsik/Seattle Public Library

This photo, taken July 31, 1961, shows a crane setting down part of... Photo-9762163.127735 - seattlepi.com

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Work progresses as the Space Needle rises into the sky in this August 1961 photo.

Work progresses as the Space Needle rises into the sky in this August 1961 photo.

Photo: George Gulacsik/Seattle Public Library

Work progresses as the Space Needle rises into the sky in this... Photo-9762164.127735 - seattlepi.com

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In this Aug. 4, 1961 photo, workers install a section of the first leg, bringing the Space Needle's height to 152 feet. The completed Needle would reach 605 feet into the sky.

In this Aug. 4, 1961 photo, workers install a section of the first leg, bringing the Space Needle's height to 152 feet. The completed Needle would reach 605 feet into the sky.

Photo: George Gulacsik/Seattle Public Library

In this Aug. 4, 1961 photo, workers install a section of the first... Photo-9762165.127735 - seattlepi.com

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This view north from Sixth Avenue and Stewart Street shows the Space Needle under construction in August 1961. The Sixth Avenue and Wall Street building, then the offices of the Seattle P-I, remains today, as does the building behind it, though little else looks the same. less

This view north from Sixth Avenue and Stewart Street shows the Space Needle under construction in August 1961. The Sixth Avenue and Wall Street building, then the offices of the Seattle P-I, remains today, as ... more

In this Nov. 16, 1961 photo, President John F. Kennedy's motorcade is seen from the Space Needle during construction.

In this Nov. 16, 1961 photo, President John F. Kennedy's motorcade is seen from the Space Needle during construction.

Photo: George Gulacsik/Seattle Public Library

In this Nov. 16, 1961 photo, President John F. Kennedy's... Photo-9762193.127735 - seattlepi.com

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In this photo from early December 1961, a worker is seen on the restaurant level of the Space Needle, with downtown Seattle in the background.

In this photo from early December 1961, a worker is seen on the restaurant level of the Space Needle, with downtown Seattle in the background.

Photo: George Gulacsik/Seattle Public Library

In this photo from early December 1961, a worker is seen on the... Photo-9762194.127735 - seattlepi.com

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Workers take up precarious positions as they install the outrigger fins on the Space Needle in December 1961. The under-construction KeyArena (then known as the Washington State Pavilion) can be seen in the background. less

Workers take up precarious positions as they install the outrigger fins on the Space Needle in December 1961. The under-construction KeyArena (then known as the Washington State Pavilion) can be seen in the ... more

Photo: George Gulacsik/Seattle Public Library

Workers take up precarious positions as they install the outrigger... Photo-9762195.127735 - seattlepi.com

Space Needle workers take a load off with a few drinks in this Dec. 22, 1961 photo.

Space Needle workers take a load off with a few drinks in this Dec. 22, 1961 photo.

Photo: George Gulacsik/Seattle Public Library

Space Needle workers take a load off with a few drinks in this Dec.... Photo-9762198.127735 - seattlepi.com

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A view of the completed Space Needle in 1962. In all, the Needle was finished in less than a year and was a hit for the 1962 World's Fair.

A view of the completed Space Needle in 1962. In all, the Needle was finished in less than a year and was a hit for the 1962 World's Fair.

Photo: George Gulacsik/Seattle Public Library

A view of the completed Space Needle in 1962. In all, the Needle... Photo-9762199.127735 - seattlepi.com

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A closer look at the finished Space Needle in 1962. The project was done in less than a year, and opened to the public almost exactly a year after its groundbreaking, just in time for the 1962 World's Fair for which it was built. less

A closer look at the finished Space Needle in 1962. The project was done in less than a year, and opened to the public almost exactly a year after its groundbreaking, just in time for the 1962 World's Fair for ... more

Photo: George Gulacsik/Seattle Public Library

A closer look at the finished Space Needle in 1962. The project was... Photo-9762201.127735 - seattlepi.com